The research group in Photonic Engineering of the University of Alcalá presents a method and system that allow the characterization of the dispersion profile of an optical fiber by comparing the amplitude and phase of a pulsed light and a light generated by Rayleigh scattering. The invention provides a characterization of high resolution and sensitivity without resorting to reference states of the fiber under analysis.
The present invention is applied to the field of telecommunications and, in particular, to the industrial area of sensing and distributed characterization of optical fibers.
The research group is looking for companies in the electronics, communications, construction, security, energy and environment sectors, for the signing of collaboration agreements, license agreements and / or commercial agreements with technical assistance.
The present invention comprises a system, a method and a computer program for the distributed characterization of optical fibers that provides an absolute measure of the dispersion profile (scattering) of the fiber, by comparing the phase and amplitude of a pulsed light and of the Rayleigh scattering generated by that pulsed light, being the Rayleigh scattering measured through, at least, a differential photonic detector.
Particular implementations include pulse coding and frequency shifts to increase spatial resolution. Preferably, the system comprises ways of distributed amplification, such as Raman amplification, which amplifies the pulsed light within the optical fiber. Since the maximum measuring distance is limited by the power of the propagated pulses, this configuration allows to characterize greater fiber lengths.
With the system, method and computer program of the invention, an absolute dispersion profile of high resolution and high sensitivity is provided. The measurement range is limited only by the intensity of the pulsed light, allowing the incorporation of distributed amplification systems. Additionally, the optical fiber under test is characterized in an absolute and continuous way, without comparing multiple states, and the results can be provided in real time.
INNOVATIVE ASPECTS
- Distributed fiber optic characterization technique capable of measuring the absolute dispersion profile in a long sensing range with high spatial and temporal resolution.
- It takes into account the phase and amplitude of the signal and not only the intensity of the scattered signal.
- The optical fiber under test is characterized in an absolute and continuous way, without comparing multiple states and the results can therefore be provided in real time.
- Nothing similar has been found in the full search report or in the scientific literature consulted.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
- The system allows to incorporate distributed amplification systems
- The results can be provided in real time.
- Stable characterization system with high sensitivity and reduced impact of environmental changes.
Current development status
Experimental technologies
Applications
Electronics, communications, construction, security, energy and environment sectors
Desired business relationship
Technology selling
Patent licensing
Technology development
The research group is looking for companies in the electronics, communications, construction, security, energy and environment sectors, for the signing of collaboration agreements, license agreements and / or commercial agreements with technical assistance.